Happy Halloween everyone! Unlike many of you who started celebrating halloween this past weekend (I was sooo jealous of all the fab fb pics), the people of Paris only celebrate the holiday on its official day, which is today! That means tonight will be filled with tricks, treats, costumes, and more! Halloween is not traditionally a French holiday so there are several differences in regards to how the night is spent! Here is a look out how the French spend this ghostly night:
Traditions & Decorations:
In the States, many towns celebrate Halloween with grand parades where candy is given out to children and hundreds show off their costumes. Additionally, elaborate decorations fill shopping malls, streets, and people's front yard. People really get into the holiday and this is seen everywhere! France however, is lacking in the spirit department. There are no special events like parades, hunted houses, and pumpkin carving activities. Perhaps the closest things to this would be a special hunted night event at Euro Disney. There is literally zero Halloween spirit anywhere!
Trick or Treating & Candy:
Sad to report, there is no trick or treating anywhere in Paris. My heart breaks for all the little French kids who are unable to eat candy until their bellies hurt! Furthermore, you cannot even buy the big bags of candy! Grocery stores seem to have skipped Halloween and gone straight to Christmas since there are displays for advent calendars already!
Costumes:
Here is a little known fact: the French LOVE a good costume party. Maria recently traveled outside of Paris to visit a friend and got to attend a real French costume party. She reported back that the costumes were absolutely crazy and very intense! Unlike many Americans who simply use Halloween as an excuse to dress, how do I put this gently, sleazy, many French will put on full out suits and masks! Most young French people (I'm talking between the age of 20 and 30) will dress up tonight!
Tonight Maria, myself, and some friends will wear ears (we are not quite sure what animal they belong to...) with black dresses and painted faces. We plan on visiting some bars and clubs and getting as much free stuff as we can since we will be wearing costumes! Hope everyone has creepy night ;]
bisous,
M&M
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